Eto'o: Dear Inter...

New Anzhi striker Samuel Eto'o has thanked Massimo Moratti and Jose Mourinho for giving him the opportunity to play for Inter.

The Cameroon international has bid farewell to Italian football after he completed his €27m switch to Russia.

"I think it is right and fair to thank the people who have given me so much in these two fantastic years that I've spent at Inter," he said in a note on the Inter website.

"First of all, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and most cordial greetings to the President, Mr Massimo Moratti, and to his family for everything they have done and for the way they have helped me and those dearest to me.

"I will always feel a special bond with Mr Moratti for the respect and the affection that he has shown me in these marvellous years.

"Then there are all my team-mates  I'm aware that without their encouragement and help on the pitch Inter wouldn't have achieved so many important victories on a national and international level.

"A very special thank you, also, to all the Italian and foreign footballers who have enabled me to become a better player game after game.

"A sincere thank you to the Coaches who have been at Inter in these years and especially to Mr José Mourinho, who was so determined to have me at this club, for the opportunity he gave me by bringing me to Milan.

"A fond farewell also to technical director Marco Branca, sporting director Piero Ausilio, team manager Andrea Butti and all the staff at F.C. Internazionale and at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti in Appiano Gentile  doctors and physios, helpers, chefs and waiters, kit men and gardeners, and everyone who works at Inter Channel.

"I will never forget the affection of the Inter fans  Mauro is the greatest of them all  who made me feel like one of them and who always supported and helped me.

"Nor will I forget all the journalists I've had the pleasure of meeting.

"I also feel I should thank my Italian 'mamma', Ciacia Guzzetti, for her help and my fantastic manager, Claudio Vigorelli, for his commitment and professionalism.

"Thanks to a man who is an Interista through and through, Marco Materazzi, for making me feel 'Italian'. Thanks big bro.

"In the hope that I haven't forgotten anyone, thanks again to every one of you!"

Eto'o joined Inter in 2009 after he was involved in the deal that saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic move to Barcelona.

He won numerous honours in his two seasons at the club, scoring 53 goals in 101 games for the Nerazzurri.